Cooltural 2024

Thank you to our event collaborators, sponsors, special guests, and hosts!

• Instructors and staff from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
• Faculty of Arts, Office of the Dean (opens in new window)  including Dr. Amy Peng, Interim Dean; Dr. Melanie Knight, Interim Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies; Dr. Anne-Marie Lee-Loy, Associate-Dean, Undergraduate Studies; and the Communications Team.
• Dr. Sean Bellaviti and the Department of Philosophy and Music.
• Language and Intercultural Relations Course Union (LIRCU (external link, opens in new window) ).
• French for All Club (external link, opens in new window) .
• Chef Jesus Morales and the restaurant team from La Bella Managua (external link, opens in new window) .

Cooltural, our event series featuring the intersection of culture, language, food and arts, returns Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Through a range of immersive experiences, Cooltural brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in meaningful dialogue, cultural exchange, and celebration. All are welcome!

Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen

12:15PM
POD 249

Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen (Thanksgiving Address) by Dr. Brandon Martin will open Cooltural 2024.

Intercultural Food Tasting

12:15PM-1:30PM
POD 249

Gastronomy presentations and food tastings hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

• Introduction to Spanish Tapas by Dr. Mignette Garvida and Dr. Enriqueta Zafra with guest student from SPN 607.
  
• Preparation of Arabic Coffee by Dr. Rania Ibrahim.
  
• Celebration of Nowruz with Iranian Sweets by Dr. Nazanin Shahdi.

Language Tables Celebration

1:30PM-2:30PM
POD 250

A celebration of TMU's Language Tables! Join to practice conversation in Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese and/or Spanish. This is a nonjudgemental environment to practice speaking and listening while learning about culture. All language levels welcome.

• Arabic Chat Cafe hosted by Dana Almasri.
• Chinese (Mandarin) Table hosted by Dr. John Edward Stowe and Dr. Elham Mirzania with CHN 201 students.
• French Conversation Table hosted by Dr. Ndeye Ba.
• Spanish Conversation Table hosted by Dr. Dorismel Diaz.

French for All: Conversation, Culture, and Chic Merchandise

12:15PM-1:30PM with the Intercultural Food Tasting
1:30PM-2:30PM with the Language Tables Celebration

Embrace the French spirit! Discover and purchase unique French-inspired merchandise and engage with fellow French enthusiasts. 

Short Films with Director Q&A

2:30PM-3:30PM
POD 469

Join us for a multilingual screening of two short films.

• Abuela by Rebeca Ortiz (external link)  with a director Q&A. 
• Errance by Karla Meza provided by LATAFF (external link) . A Q&A will follow with guest Dr. Tanya Aberman, Coordinator, Sanctuary Scholars.

Drumming Circle

3:45PM-4:45PM
POD 250

Join in or observe a drum circle as part of our ANT 200 class (Anthropological Perspectives). The circle will be led by Alpha Rhythm Roots (external link) .

This session is made possible by a Guest Speaker Grant from the Faculty of Arts.

Music in the City

5:00PM-6:30PM
SLC 1st Floor Amphitheater

A salsa dance lesson by Sarita Leyva (external link, opens in new window)  kicks off this session. It'll be followed with a live band performance by Lady Son with Dr. Sean Bellaviti from the Department of Philosophy and Music and guest pianist Dr. Julián Zapata from the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.

Multicultural Expressions: A Talent Show with Lunch Provided by La Bella Managua

11:00AM-12:30PM
SLC 3rd Floor Sandbox

Participants will weave together threads of different cultures, languages, and literary traditions in their performances. Join us for poetry, song, and painting, followed by a lunch kindly provided by La Bella Managua.

Hosted by Ingrid and Kurt from the Language and Intercultural Relations Course Union, the talent show will feature a live painting from LIR student Tatsbita S. and performances by Faculty of Arts professors Dr. Jamin Pelkey, Dr. Julián Zapata, and Dr. Gerd Hauck. 

Bikes, Languages and Cultures with Zygg

Unfortunately postponed due to poor weather conditions.

Test ride Zygg e-bikes while conversing with the multicultural/multilingual Zygg staff. Exercise your mind and your body!

Tea Presentation

Please check back for information about a Tea Presentation to be scheduled later this year.

If accessibility accommodations are required to ensure full participation, please contact the department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures with as much notice as possible. 

See TMU's Campus Map for information regarding entrances, elevators, and ramps. For wayfinding support, please contact the department by March 18. 

Contact: Winnie Ho or via @llc_torontomet (external link)  by March 18.

This event series will be hosted in-person and photos and videos of attendees may be taken, shared and used by Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).